From MTV to sold-out amphitheaters to... tech-company dining halls? Kanye West gave an impromptu concert yesterday - in the middle of the Facebook headquarters' cafeteria. The rapper broke out four brand-new songs in one of the most bizarre debuts in recent history.
Dressed in a dark-blue suit and a skinny tie, Kanye jumped onto the table and performed several tunes from his upcoming album for the lunching Facebook employees. West debuted the raps a cappella, with no accompaniment other than the occasional ringing phone (it was an office, after all!) and the applause of his excited audience.
The new songs, including "Lost in the World" and "Chain Gang," feature thoughtful lyrics, like the latter's final lines: "This is the making of a masterpiece/'Til we broke out the chains and told the master, 'Peace.'"
Only hours before the tabletop concert, Kanye started a Twitter account. The profile has only two tweets so far, but the first explains his presence at the Facebook offices. Kanye wrote, "Up early in the morning to take meetings in Silicone Valley," then went on to correct his spelling of "Silicon."
The Facebook recital wasn't the only unusual performance Kanye has given recently. Last month, the "Stronger" singer performed at a Chicago high school, treating 1600 students to a private show. The event, organized as part of the Kanye West Foundation's yearly "Stay in School" concert, included guest appearances by rappers Common and Lupe Fiasco.
This morning, Kanye blogged a heartfelt thank-you to his captive Facebook audience, revealing: "Many times in life I've had to deal with moments of doubt. And as it's been a minute since I've performed any fresh material in front of an audience, this could've been one of those moments... but it wasn't. Your energy was a gift so electric, so genuine, that it really helped me give my best."
[Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images]